2015-04-29_PERMIT FILE - C1981008A (7)

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2.3 Soil - 1999 In 1998 a new Order I Soil Survey was conducted by Intermountain Resource Inventories Inc. (IRI), Jim Irvine principal investigator. The survey covered lands and properties outlined in the beginning of this chapter. Soil consisted of 8 soil map units with a total of 10 soil types. Soil ranged from deep to shallow with underlying bedrock being soft to hard. Deeper soils formed in aeolian deposits and underlying residuum. Moderately deep to shallow soils formed in residual parent material. Barx soil is predominantly in hayland or irrigated pastures. Bowbac, Bowdish and Darvey soils are predominantly irrigated pasture with some haylands. Monierco, Valleycity, and Wahweap soil are shallow and are predominantly support sagebrush types and some low productivity irrigated pasture. See Section 2.04.9, "Soil Resource Information," for a detailed soils discussion. 2.4 Climate. The Nucla area is characterized by interior continental weather patterns resulting in a semiarid climate. Precipitation is scattered throughout the year, though the highest amounts are received during the summer months. Snowfall does not normally contribute significantly to the yearly totals received. For the years 1961 through 1975, the Uravan Station recorded average annual precipitation of 12.24 inches. Average annual precipitation at Uravan for the year 1978 through 1986 was 14.38 inches, indicating a wetter precipitation cycle at this time. Table 2.04.10-1 details the precipitation received at the Uravan Station, located 13 miles northwest of Nucla, for the months January through October in 1987 and January through April 1999. Temperatures in the Nucla area are generally moderate throughout the year, though summers can be hot. The average annual mean temperature for the Uravan Station is 48°F. Table 2.04.10-2 presents temperature data from the Uravan Station for the months January through October in 1987 and January through April 1999. May through August 1999 showed much higher rainfall than average with most stations in western Colorado reporting precipitation more than 178% of normal. The semiarid climate, with sunny days predominating and low relative humidities, results in high evapotranspiration rates. The frost free period is approximately 150 days. Further information on climate may be found in Section 2.04.8, Climatological Information. Table 2.04.10-1 February 2015 (TR -66) 2.04.10-4